More evidence against COVID being weapon or unintentional release
A very interesting article in the peer-reviewed journal
first the article in the NY Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/science/covid-coronavirus-evolution.html?unlocked_article_code=1.SVA.bzd3.NxG2hbEvChbU&smid=url-share
"If SARS-CoV-2 was reared in a lab, its mutations would unfold in a pattern like that of the Russian flu. Instead, Dr. Wertheim and his colleagues found, its mutation pattern matched the five naturally occurring outbreaks they studied.
Instead, Dr. Wertheim said, Covid appears to have arisen from some really bad luck. As the precursor virus was adapting to infect bats, it ended up ready to start a pandemic among people. “It’s coincidentally exceptionally good at being a human virus,” Dr. Wertheim said."
the article as referenced
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2026.02.006
Highlights
•
Viral adaptation is not a necessary precursor to outbreaks of novel zoonotic viruses
•
Selection signatures on SARS-CoV-2 were unchanged until its emergence in humans
•
Laboratory and gain-of-function passage produce distinct evolutionary signatures
•
1977 influenza virus reemergence preceded by evolution consistent with laboratory passage
first the article in the NY Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/science/covid-coronavirus-evolution.html?unlocked_article_code=1.SVA.bzd3.NxG2hbEvChbU&smid=url-share
"If SARS-CoV-2 was reared in a lab, its mutations would unfold in a pattern like that of the Russian flu. Instead, Dr. Wertheim and his colleagues found, its mutation pattern matched the five naturally occurring outbreaks they studied.
Instead, Dr. Wertheim said, Covid appears to have arisen from some really bad luck. As the precursor virus was adapting to infect bats, it ended up ready to start a pandemic among people. “It’s coincidentally exceptionally good at being a human virus,” Dr. Wertheim said."
the article as referenced
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2026.02.006
Highlights
•
Viral adaptation is not a necessary precursor to outbreaks of novel zoonotic viruses
•
Selection signatures on SARS-CoV-2 were unchanged until its emergence in humans
•
Laboratory and gain-of-function passage produce distinct evolutionary signatures
•
1977 influenza virus reemergence preceded by evolution consistent with laboratory passage
80-89, M
